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5 hot sellers: Jeep, Buick SUVs among U.S. auto sales leaders in March

SUVs and crossover vehicles are glistening in the U.S., as American consumers dump passenger cars for roomier rides. Here's our list of the five hottest selling vehicles in March, based on a semi-subjective assessment of momentum and year-over-year growth.

Mopar is showcasing a selection of its 200-plus product portfolio for the all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler with a pair of personalized vehicles on display during press days at the L.A Auto Show, including a four-door 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited. PR NEWSWIRE

Joe Eberhardt, executive vice president of Global Sales, Marketing and Service Chrysler Group poses with the 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, which he says is his favorite car. Kimberly P. Mitchell, Detroit Free Press

A Jeep Gladiator Concept introduced at during the 2005 Detroit Auto Show. This "Flexible Utility Truck," features an open-air canvas top, an expandable truck bed and a stow-away rear-seat cushion. Chrysler

Don Foran, who as a teenager spent the last months of World War II on dangerous assignments driving a jeep, restored and donated the same model of a 1942 jeep to the Canyon VFW post in Amarillo, Texas. Lauren Koski, AP

The General Motors subcompact crossover had an outsized impact for Buick in March. The vehicle accounted for virtually all of the brand's 28% sales gain.

The automaker sold well over three times as many units of the Encore as any other Buick model.

4. Chevrolet EquinoxMarch sales: 31,840, up 40.9%

Along with the entire Chevrolet brand, the stalwart GM crossover is capitalizing on the industrywide trend into bigger vehicles. Chevy crossover sales rose 39% for the month.

Although the Equinox is benefiting from customers who are migrating out of passenger cars, that's not necessarily bad news for GM. Crossovers and SUVs are typically much more profitable than passenger cars.

5. Audi Q5March sales: 5,473, up 24.9%

The luxury crossover has cemented its crown as the Volkswagen Group luxury brand's best-selling vehicle.